The intermittently interesting, occasionally dull blog of not very well known SF writer Alastair Reynolds

Tuesday, 25 July 2017

Elysium Fire and a new title for The Prefect

I'm pleased to be able to announce that my next novel will have the title Elysium Fire. Actually the title has been out there for a little while courtesy of various online listings, but at least now I can confirm it (sometimes provisional titles do escape out into the wild) and also offer up the cover artwork, concerning which I'm very happy.

This is a direct sequel to 2007's The Prefect, and although it's been a decade since I completed the earlier novel, the action in this book begins only two years after the events of the first. Although it features the same settings, organisation and main characters of the first, it concerns itself with an entirely different story and is intended to function as a standalone book, requiring no prior knowledge of The Prefect.

While my editor and I were discussing title options for this new novel, none of which seemed to follow on organically from the first, I made the not entirely flippant suggestion that, given the chance, I would jump at the opportunity to retitle The Prefect. Although I still liked the book, over the ensuing decade I'd come to feel that it was one of my weaker titles and was particularly problematic from the standpoint of establishing the idea of the Panoply stories forming a sort of universe within a universe. So, once we had begun to settle on a title for the new book, thoughts turned to the possibility of a fresh identity for the older one, and after some deliberation this is the result:

Obviously I am keen that no one should mistake this for a new novel, so the intention at the moment is that the original title will feature prominently as part of the description on the rear cover (this will be a paperback reissue) while the front cover will have a removable sticker clearly identifying the nature of the book. Online descriptions will also strive to make it clear that this is not an original work, and I'll aim to get the word out at all opportunities between now and the re-issue.

33 comments:

Aurora Rising fits quite well with Elysium Fire. I've always loved your two word titles for your novels. Although it works as a stand alone, I'll more likely give The Perfect another read.Cheers and good luck.

This is so exciting! I just saw a post from Gollancz on Twitter. I happen to be reading The Prefect for the third time at the moment. Great stuff! (I can't decide whether to choose The Prefect, or Revenger for my next bookclub book)

After an awful couple of days this is the good news I needed! Thanks so much Alastair, can't wait for Elysium Fire and the new title for The Prefect is great (and love the 'A Prefect Dreyfuss Emergency' byline for the novels). I'll re-read The Prefect, sorry, Aurora Rising once I've finished the Foundation series. Happy Daz!

Very glad to soon re-enter the world of Dreyfus and the Panoply. The Prefect is my favourite novel set in the Revelation Space universe. I'd love this to be the beginning of a series of cases investigated by him and his team. :-)

Fantastic news! I originally read the Revelation Space/Redemption Ark/Absolution Gap trilogy then went back and read the whole "universe" in chronological order. The Prefect (along with Chasm City) really stood out.

Great news, Al! I've been collecting all your works! Based on the cover, I feel like getting Aurora Rising even though I already have The Prefect. It's just... I want things to be in 'sets' or 'groups'. I was sad when I bought Poseidon's Wake because the cover doesn't match with Blue Remembered Earth and On the Steel Breeze.

The very talented writer GS Jennsen have already made a great contribution to the sci-fi genre in the name of "Aurora Rising". She has written a 9 book series with a different take on how the universe is created and introduced us to som very interesting characters in these books. I urge you to check them out! https://www.gsjennsen.com/

Hi Al R. Cannot wait (!!) for the new novel - the Prefect was fantastic. A while back in a blog you mentioned you were working on a sequel to one of your novels - to be honest, I was (really) hoping for a sequel to Pushing Ice, but can't wait for Elysium Fire (I'd probably read your shopping list if you published it). Cheers and thanks for the reads! Dave

...considering that i missed out on the prefect's original hardcover edition, i'd love to pick up a hardcover reissue (whatever its title) dressed to match elysium fire: i hope your publisher reconsiders a paperback-only release...

I finally read The Prefect last week. I think it's my favorite book in the RS universe. I look forward to Elysium Fire!Was the owl who referred to himself on a number of occasions as an "excellent bird" a Peter Gabriel reference?

The Prefect was fantastic. Personally I think it is ridiculous that you are changing to title, but who am I to say? Also, disappointed that you will not be continuing the original story of the Clockmaker and Aurora, but again, who am I. Either way, I will be reading the new novel and am looking forward to it. Alastair is by far my favorite current scifi writer.

Hi Wijciech - no, I think that was purely a case of the German publisher not being able to find a direct translation of the original title that worked for them. At the back of my mind, though, I suppose was always the thought that "Aurora" had worked on the German edition.

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About Me

I'm Alastair Reynolds, a science fiction writer based in Wales. I used to work for the European Space Agency, before turning to full-time writing. I have written fifteen novels and well over sixty short stories. I have been nominated for some awards and won one or two. I used to be on Twitter but now I'm not.
This is my working blog; you can also find a bit more about me and my writing by going to my author website at www.alastairreynolds.com
You can call me Al.